Improvement in wagon-brakes



` tion of the rod.

\ UNITED STATES PATENT GEFICE;

BENJAMIN W. COE, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN WAGON-BRAKES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 144,443, dated November11, 1&73 application led August 30, 1873.

` thereof.

A represents the front axle of a wagon; B B, the hounds. These commonparts of a wagon may vary in material, form, and size, and can be joinedtogether in any suitable way. C is the pole or tongue, of ordinary form,excepting that it has a continuous groove on the under side designed toadmit and retain a rod in such a manner that they will mutually supportand strengthen each other. Any suitable means of securing the rod in ythis groove may be used; or the tongue may be hollow, to admit thepassage and operaa a a is the metal rod, which may vary in size, passingthrough the tongue C. Its front end is formed and adapted to connectwith the horses bymeans of a yoke and straps. At the rear end of thepole it has a hingejoint formed in any suitable man,

l terminates in a connection with two pivoted levers. c c are levers,pivoted to the hounds B B in any suitable manner by which they can besecured thereto and fulcrums formed at the points of connection. Theirinner ends are coupled to the rod a by means of any suitable links orhinge-joints that will aord suicient tlexibility for their operation.Shoes of any form desired may be attached to the outer ends to bearagainst the front wagon-wheels.

d is a bent stay-plate, hinged at its center to` the top surface of thetongue for the purpose of operating the pin f, which secures thedouble-tree D and locks the rod a to make the brake inoperative wheneverdesired. Its front end is secured to the tongue by the spring or elasticcatch g, or its equivalent.

In the practical use of `my invention, the coil-spring b, in combinationwith the rod a., constantly supports the tongue A. In descending agrade, where the horses must hold back, their resistance will be appliedto the rod a., and that rod will operate the levers c c, and these willaugment the force and apply it to the front wheels.

A simple andcomplete automatic wagon-4 brake is thus formed andoperated.

To make the brake inoperative for the purpose of backing the wagon withthe horses, an opening or catch is provided in or on the rod a., and soplaced relative to the position of the pin j' that the pin may beallowed to drop into the hole or catch and lock the rod rigidly to thetongue A. This can readily beraccomplished by pressing down the rear andelevated end of the stay-plate d, which is'held up by means of the catchg. By continuing the rod a to the rear and forming suitable connectionsbrakes may be applied to the rear wheels.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination of the plate d, spring g, andton gue C, in the manner and for the purposes described.

2. The jointed rod a a, coil-sprin g b, and pivoted levers c c, combinedwith the axle A, hounds B B, and tongue C, substantially as. and for thepurpose described. i

BENJAMIN W. COE.

Witnesses:

J. F. BAKER, J. W. Gnosn.

